Anstey: Simmons would 'absolutely not' dominate NBL

The suggestion that Ben Simmons would "dominate" in the NBL is disrespectful, according to former NBA player and NBL great Chris Anstey.‍

The three-time NBL champion and two-time NBL MVP winner's comments come off the back of NBL expert Damon Lowery's declaration that the three-time NBA All Star would be unstoppable in the Australian league.‍

“Would he [Simmons] dominate, absolutely not - I think that’s disrespectful to so many players in this league, who are able to score the ball in a multitude of ways,“ two-time Olympian Anstey said during Wednesday’s episode of NBL Now.

"He’s a very big guard who can handle the ball or a very small big, but I’m unsure if he’d want to come and do that - [not to mention] he can’t shoot the ball and would get fouled a lot."

After being drafted with the first overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2016 NBA Draft, the Melbourne-born 29-year-old has played 422 games during his time in the NBA, which also includes stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers.

The LSU alum, who recently squashed talk of retirement, is currently a free agent.

The League’s Owner and Executive Director, Larry Kestelman, said the former No.1 NBA draft pick was “too good a talent not to be playing basketball”.

“I’ll reach out to Ben and I’d love to have a chat to him because I believe he is someone who we (the NBL) want to put our arms around,” Kestelman told CODE Sports.

“I hope he comes and plays for the passion of it and a deal in the NBL is somewhere where his passion could be reignited.”

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